Indian media aflutter after ‘airplane shaped balloon’ spotted in occupied Kashmir

Published
An airplane shaped balloon was seized by police in occupied Kashmir. — Photo courtesy ANI/X
An airplane shaped balloon was seized by police in occupied Kashmir. — Photo courtesy ANI/X

A balloon in the shape of an airplane has caused a stir on Indian media. According to several media outlets, the balloon has been taken into police custody.

Indian news agency ANI posted on X that an “aircraft-shaped balloon” with “PIA” written on its was found in Rajouri in occupied Kashmir.

“The police team took the object into possession. No electrical or electronic components were found affixed,” the post said, citing police.

The images shared with the post showed a deflated balloon in the shape of a plane and with the words PIA on the sides, ostensibly a reference to Pakistan International Airlines.

The development was also reported by the Hindustan Times, Times of India.

Meanwhile, NDTV also shared the the same on its X account. “Further proceedings underway to determine its origin,” it said.

In 2021, a similar incident had occurred, with authorities in occupied Kashmir seizing a plane-shaped balloon bearing the name of the Pakistan International Airlines. According to the report, the balloon featuring the name, logo and livery colours of the national flag-carrier was found in Sotra Chak village of Hiranagar sector.

Opinion

Editorial

America at 250
07 Jul, 2026

America at 250

THOUGH America’s 250th independence anniversary observed on Saturday is a significant milestone, the celebrations...
Ravi encroachments
07 Jul, 2026

Ravi encroachments

SUPARCO’S satellite imagery reveals the rapid expansion of Lahore into the floodplains of the Ravi river, with the...
Misdirected justice
07 Jul, 2026

Misdirected justice

ACHILD will be tried in a court of law over January’s deadly Gul Plaza fire that claimed 72 lives, but not, it...
Islamic banking
Updated 06 Jul, 2026

Islamic banking

THE roadmap for eliminating riba from Pakistan’s financial system from 2028 offers some clarity on how the...
Prison reforms
06 Jul, 2026

Prison reforms

IF nothing else, it was good to see the four provincial chief executives sharing a common platform. The chief...
Preserving Taxila
06 Jul, 2026

Preserving Taxila

TAXILA is far more than a collection of ancient ruins. It is one of South Asia’s greatest archaeological ...